How does emotional exhaustion among Chinese college students affect mental health? A mixed-methods study in Zhejiang, China.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study is based on the social ecology theory and clarifies how emotional exhaustion acts as a proximal mechanism to transmit macro cultural norms, meso institutions and need systems, and micro cognition and behavioral processes to the mental health of college students.

Methods

We conducted a questionnaire survey in 26 universities in Zhejiang Province and received valid responses from 600 students. We used the covariance structural equation model to estimate direct effects and mediating effects, and used fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to identify asymmetric configurations sufficient to lead to high-risk outcomes.

Results

The structural equation model showed that the culture of internal competition, academic pressure, employment pressure, r

SUBMITTER: Jiang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12602391 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature